Schedule analysis: East Chambers

The schedule analysis finally make its way down to the 2A ranks to look at one of the most consistent teams in this class in Southeast Texas’ recent history.

East Chambers, who finished 9-3 and second in its district, will have to replace Glenn Roberts, one of the best players in school history. Roberts ran for 1,993 and 35 touchdowns his senior season and finding the player or players to try and replicate those stats will be difficult. The good news is that Brandon Johnson will be back under center for the Buccaneers and hopefully will have developed for EC.

Johnson has the most rushing yards for a returning player with 127. He could pass that after two games in 2013. Or one game. Or maybe even one half. Who knows.

The first thing that stands out to me with EC’s schedule is how awfully early its bye week is. September 5? That’s week two! No team needs a bye week that early. They are high school kids, but that bye week would be better served somewhere closer to the start of October. But there’s nothing that can be done about that.

All three of EC’s non-district games are teams from 21-3A. They went 2-1 last season, defeating Orangefield and Hamshire-Fannett before barely falling to Hardin-Jefferson. OF should be improved this season, and H-J will be different under new coach and former Vidor offensive coordinator Dwayne DuBois. EC will travel to OF and H-F before hosting H-J. Fairly stout test to start the season for the Bucs.

(Note: EC also scrimmages Silsbee , who I believe will be the best 3A team in the area in 2013, before the season starts. So the Bucs will be prepared for its district schedule.)

The District 10-2A-1 schedule for EC will present challenges, none bigger than October 11 when Newton makes the nearly 100-mile trip southwest. I think Newton will once again be the best area team from 2A, a state championship contender. They beat EC 74-7 last season, so it’s also possible the Bucs still remember that and want revenge.

While most of the road trips for EC are long because of where they’re located, it doesn’t look like they have many really really long trips. Kountze could be one of their tougher road district games. I watched Kountze against Lumberton in 7-on-7s earlier this week and while they still have things to work on, they definitely have some athletes that will make things interesting in that district.

For EC, it comes down to how well they will be able to replace and reload with its losses from last season. A playoff is still probable to me.

Vote in the poll on how many games you think EC will win and comment on why you think that.